The Biophilic Home: Embracing Wood and Wellness
Tripod chair in natural oak in a biophilic home
The biophilic home trend is all about embracing wellness by fostering a connection between humans and the natural world. What does that have to do with Dovetailors, you might ask. Well, as specialists in wood furniture design, we are aligned with biophilia because it involves incorporating wood and other natural materials into interior design.
We love the idea that the materials we use, as well as the way we use them, can support wellbeing. Our physical surroundings can have a big impact on how we feel, which explains why pieces of furniture that showcase the natural grain and warmth of wood make a space feel so welcoming.
Natural materials in interior design
Natural organic shape wood stool, counter stool and bar stool in walnut
Natural materials that retain much of their original look and feel can have a hugely positive impact on interior design, particularly when designing for wellbeing and creating a biophilic home. The variations that occur in colour and grain add interest and help people to engage with their surroundings. We have written before about our love of walnut and the trend for dark wood. This is partly because the wildness of the grain adds so much character to our furniture designs.
Nature-inspired design in home interiors
Organic solid wood oak bench FP/W3
Our passion for organic materials and nature-inspired design has led us to develop our FP/W3 collection of sculptural stools, benches and tables. They all have a distinctively organic shape and showcase the grain and personality of the wood, whether they’re made in oak or walnut. We hand oil every piece to emphasise the natural grain even further.
The origins of the biophilic home and biophilic design
Biophilic design was inspired by research into the link between nature and wellbeing
Biophilic design dates back to the late 20th century, when there was a lot of interest in the relationship between people and their environment. Studies at the time began to focus on the connections between nature, human health and wellbeing, recognising that exposure to nature can have a beneficial effect on physical, mental and emotional health.
Knowledge has increased over the years, sparking pastimes such as forest bathing. Greater understanding of our relationship with nature has also inspired biophilic design, which aims to bring elements of nature into the built environment. The goal of phiophilic design is to enhance quality of life and restore balance between natural and manmade habitats.
According to Kellert’s principles of biophilic design, nature can be experienced in three ways in interior spaces: Direct experience of nature, which might include adding plants and water to an indoor environment; Indirect experience of nature, for example through art that represents nature; and experience of space and place, which refers to the sense of comfort, refuge and wellbeing that a biophilic design can create.
How else to experience biophilic design in your home
Solid wood trestle legs and tripod chairs
There are lots of ways to bring nature into your home and décor. Here are a few ideas for creating a biophilic home:
- Images of nature in pictures and photographs can create that connection with the natural world, as can houseplants.
- Decorating with colours that have their origins in nature, such as soft blues, greens and browns can contribute to that sense of wellness and connection with outdoors. Furniture and objects that are derived from, or inspired by, nature and have soft organic curves.
- Lighting and sources of natural light.
- The use of materials that are found in nature such as wood, slate and stone.